So You're Looking For a Remote Job...

Wondering how to get a remote job? This step-by-step guide is going to be your new best friend. You're just a few steps away from finding the remote jobs you've been looking for.

Welcome to remote life! You’re on the front lines of a cultural shift, so the whole job search process is going to look a little different, and we know firsthand just how overwhelming it can be. Whether you want to take your current job remote, or are searching for a new remote position, we're here to help you through the process. First thing's first...

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What is a Remote Job?

A remote job is a job that is able to be done outside of a traditional office. We've seen people with remote positions successfully work from home offices, a coffee shop down the street, a coworking space and even halfway across the world. Remote positions rely on self-motivation, great communication skills and reliable WiFi in order to be effective.

Get Your Employer on Board

Far and away, we’ve seen the most success when potential Remote Year participants go this route. Our Enterprise Solutions Team (EST) has helped hundreds of people successfully have a discussion with their employers to let them take their current position remote. Don’t just take our word for it — check out what Casey experienced when making this decision with her company:

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[Special shout out to fellow Remote, Charles Du, who is creating a whole course around becoming a digital nomad — Check it out!]

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The worst thing that can happen is that they say no, right?

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Look for a remote job

If you are looking for a new remote career, we have the answers for that too. Below, you will find some of the largest remote work job boards with remote job opportunities. We’re not officially partnered with any of them, but they are a great place to start exploring the variety of remote positions that are out there. For these boards, we’re big fans of the backward search.

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1. Start by making a giant list of any roles and fully remote companies that catch your eye.

3. Check through LinkedIn to see if you have mutual connections to someone at the company that you want to get in touch with. If you do, high five! Reach out to them, and see if they can connect you to HR, the hiring manager for the role or, really, anyone at the company that would be willing to pass along your resume or give you some helpful hints on how to make yours stand out.

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4. If you don’t have a connection, fear not. Find the hiring manager, someone in HR, or someone on the team that is a part of the hiring process and send them a cold message introducing yourself. If you can’t find their email address on the website, message them on LinkedIn. This will exponentially increase your chances of at least getting your foot in the door . I get these messages all the time, but I only respond to ones that are direct, clear in their ask, and above all — polite. Example:

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"Hi, Catherine! I came across your profile while applying for the Enterprise Admissions Officer position at Remote Year. I love the company and the idea behind it — would you have a free ten minutes this week to connect at your convenience to tell me what you love about working for Remote Year? Let me know what works for you — my schedule is flexible. Thanks, Sarah"

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People are busy, so be prompt and polite in your messages and follow-ups . Always adjust your schedule to fit when they have an opening to speak with you.

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Applying cold off a remote job board has a pretty low , though not impossible , conversion rate, so start with the backward search and always try to get connected before applying directly from the job board.

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Finally, a big DON’T: never say, “I’ll do anything remote!” This reads as wishy washy, looks like you don’t believe in your skills and your talents, and is just all around a sure-fire way to get your email deleted. Instead, look for companies that you’re a culture fit for, rather than just ones with open roles, then sell who you are and what skills you have that would add value to their team.

Ugh, I can’t have a remote career, I’m not a tech bro.

Feel that! Me either. Think it doesn’t exist? Think again — we’ve seen remote lawyers, pharmacists, therapists, and virtual assistants, just to name a few. If you look hard enough and get creative enough, you can find it. But where to start? Remotes CupofTJ and The Remote Nomad to the rescue:

What’s that you say? Yes! These are companies that are, by their very nature, already fully remote companies. You don’t have to sell the benefits of a remote role — they already know. Check out a few of our favorites . They usually have a wide variety of remote job opportunities available: